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Graham council approves permanent closure of Wilton Drive despite neighborhood opposition
Summary
The Graham City Council voted 3-2 on April 14 to permanently close an unconstructed section of Wilton Drive to allow a developer turnaround and utility work, overruling residents’ concerns about parking, flooding and traffic.
The Graham City Council voted 3-2 on April 14 to approve the permanent closure of an unconstructed section of Wilton Drive, a decision residents said will worsen parking and flooding problems.
Mayor Pro Tem Ricky Hall moved to approve the request from KC Rentals, LLC to abandon the paper right-of-way so the developer can construct a turnaround; Council Member Bobby Chin seconded the motion and it passed with Mayor Chelsea Dickey, Hall and Chin voting yes. Council Members Bonnie Whitaker and Jim Young voted no.
At a public hearing, neighbors said they were not given clear information about which segment would be closed and warned the change would reduce parking and increase traffic on narrow streets. Kathy Ward said residents 'did not understand what road they were talking about closing.' Neighbor Jim Lautenslager told the Council the field floods and building there could divert water into his yard. Anita Hunter said nearby residents rely on on-street parking.
Kristen and Chris Foust, representing KC Rentals, described plans to construct a turnaround, install a new water line and add a fire hydrant. Assistant City Manager Aaron Holland noted the right-of-way exists only on a plat and has not been constructed on the ground.
Mayor Dickey said the houses would be built whether or not the Council approved the closure and that granting the property to the developer would make construction and required infrastructure connections easier; she recommended approval.
The motion closed the public hearing and cleared the way for the developer to proceed with design and utility work. The Council did not record specific mitigation commitments on stormwater or parking at the meeting; neighbors asked for further detail about construction impacts and parking accommodations.
The Council’s action is procedural and requires the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources or other agencies only if additional permitting or approvals are referenced by the developer; staff and the developer will address engineering and permitting before construction.
